Cloud computing involves delivering essential services to companies that handle storage resources, databases, and software, allowing them to operate more efficiently. Considering that the amount of data shared worldwide expands by the day, customers’ demand also increases to receive the best online services, so companies need cloud computing to manage resources and applications accordingly.
Cloud computing ensures enhanced scalability and flexibility by accessing capacious infrastructures. At the same time, it paves the way for better collaboration between companies and individuals, as access to data is convenient regardless of time and space.
Still, cloud technology also has limitations, especially regarding integration complexity. As a result, many companies find it challenging to approach it. So, we’ll discuss some of the challenges of integrating the cloud and how to overcome them.
Cloud compliance and demanding regulatory standards
Data regulatory standards are dynamic as they adapt to shifting trends and concerns over consumer safety. Therefore, companies are continuously challenged to maintain high expectations over their data security or control over cloud infrastructures.
There should be a clear understanding of the responsibility management between cloud service providers and businesses to close the gaps of ambiguity over security controls. Otherwise, companies are continuously exposed to data breaches and compliance violations.
Luckily, cloud services like Azure DevOps implement efficient solutions for optimising, managing and migrating data across networks safely through a multi-cloud approach. Organisations can now access workloads and tools to secure their operations’ data safety and application regulation in one place.
Cloud architecture and types of integration
Different cloud systems providers might approach architecture distinctively. Microsoft Azure, for example, offers unique cloud services compared with Amazon Web Services, although that doesn’t undermine the latter’s contributions. You can find out more about Azure’s capabilities at https://intercept.cloud/en-gb, where you can see how and why SaaS companies choose to scale their cloud solutions.
Still, besides the benefits of using these cloud services, combining their features is the main problem businesses face, as integrating data across multiple platforms is quite tricky considering the distinct protocols and data storage formats.
The solution would be to approach a hybrid cloud computing strategy, which combines the concepts of private and public cloud by ensuring data can move seamlessly between two digital environments. A hybrid cloud provides more control, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness for companies managing their data systems.
Cloud speed and network disruptions
One thing about cloud storage that companies appreciate and seek continuously is speed. Data transfer should be fast and efficient to meet clients’ demands. This performance allows businesses to run on global networks and secure their data centres with constant updates.
Still, network latency isn’t that uncommon. Many organisations experience slow integration processes and workflow execution, leading to customer disruptions and lost opportunities. Financial transactions are some of the most affected in these cases, as they employ real-time sharing, so customer expectations are high. E-commerce systems can sometimes have slower order processing because they experience high latency.
One of the best solutions to address speed is reducing data transfer time through geographically distributed points of presence that make it easier to process data in relation to the source. Moreover, distributed caching can help reduce latency by faster retrieval.
Cloud legacy systems and digital literacy
The subject of digital literacy is an ongoing matter online, as users are concerned with the level of global education on technology that slows down system modernisation. Besides individuals, some companies also find it difficult to migrate processes and tasks to newer hardware and software, so they’re using outdated systems that compromise their efficiency and potential for development.
These companies are leveraging legacy systems that usually lack Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), hindering their ability to communicate with cloud applications. For instance, they might hold extensive amounts of historical data, which can be close to impossible to migrate to the cloud environment.
In this case, companies need middleware and data transformation tools to make the migration process more accessible. Intermediaries can connect the two systems gradually to avoid massive disruptions, as the process would lengthen over a longer period.
Cloud customisation vs pre-built integration
Companies have the choice between customised cloud solutions and pre-built services, each with its own advantages. Tailoring the cloud capabilities allows businesses to access services that fit their needs, but this implies time-consuming integration and consistent and long-term maintenance.
Pre-built integration offers fast development and less effort to integrate it, regardless of the company’s needs. However, as the option ensures only a general integration, it might not address the pain points of the company’s data and result in isolated and inaccessible data due to the hierarchy system.
Approaching a hybrid solution is advisable in this case because it allows for seamless solutions that manage common functions with pre-built services and solve specific and complex processes through customisation. This strategy can also help speed up workflows, as there’s no need for extensive coding.
Cloud solutions and anti-patterns
Anti-patterns are common problems companies face when integrating or migrating data in the cloud that pose a sudden challenge of increased costs and security risks. For example, building monolithic integrations, overcomplicating the process, or failing to monitor the implementation process can contribute to unexpected logistical hurdles.
Anti-patterns can occur during the design and plan stages, not only during implementation. Usually, there’s a solution for each anti-pattern case, but that doesn’t mean solving it is straightforward. For instance, failing to adequately introduce a custom compliance and governance framework will always extend the cloud adoption time, which is why companies need support in creating a custom security framework.
Businesses could deploy or use a standard integration set of easy-to-follow practices. Some cloud providers ensure businesses a complete step-by-step roadmap that includes using a user-friendly platform, flexible methodologies, and collaborating with experts in the field.
Are you ready to make the most out of your cloud?
Cloud systems bring various advantages to businesses, from scalability and flexibility to better collaboration and data loss prevention. However, due to the complexity of these systems, navigating migration challenges can be difficult. Ideally, organisations can collaborate with cloud providers to customise services and adequately scale their systems.
